Government Handouts at YOUR Expense

All over the country, cities and states provide handouts and special advantages to the well-connected, using YOUR tax dollars. More than that, a series of exemptions, conflicting interests, and a lack of timely reporting keep this information secret from the public.

Without transparency and accountability taxpayers have no idea how much of their money is being given to private companies or the return on investment of these handouts. Even when companies are required to disclose the number of jobs created as part of their agreement, some haven’t submitted reports in years.

When companies over-promise to receive tax incentives, then under-deliver as job creators taxpayers are left in the dark. The lack of accountability short-changes state and local governments, forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab through higher taxes or cuts to necessary government services.

When the government hands out subsidies and tax breaks, it essentially picks winners and losers in business. That undermines competition and favors politically-connected companies over everyone else. This isn’t the way business should be done.

Read More About Corporate welfare: Corporate welfare is especially problematic in Tennessee. Since 1995, Tennessee has awarded more than 9,200 subsidies to private companies, costing Tennesseans $4.3 billion. Most recently, the state and Nashville offered Amazon $102 million worth of incentives to lure the company to Nashville.

I’m writing today to ask for you to support the FACTS Act (Fair Accountability and Clarity in Tax Subsidies) SB513/HB1265.

The government shouldn’t be in the business of choosing winners and losers. Awarding politically-connected companies with handouts and special tax breaks undermines competition and incentivizes corruption. At the very least tax incentive information should be reported accurately to the legislature and claw-back provisions should be enforced.

These deals should be transparent so that you and the taxpayers you represent can hold companies accountable in exchange for the money they receive.

Tennessee citizens deserve to know who is receiving these credits and grants with accountability measures in place. Likewise, increased transparency will help policymakers better analyze the effectiveness of tax incentives and ensure they are accomplishing the intended purpose while protecting government revenues for basic services.

No matter where you stand on economic incentives, everyone should be for transparency when it comes to how our tax dollars are being spent. Please support the FACTS Act SB513/HB1265.

Sincerely,

Yes, I want to Volunteer

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All over the country, cities and states provide handouts and special advantages to the well-connected, using YOUR tax dollars. More than that, a series of exemptions, conflicting interests, and a lack of timely reporting keep this information secret from the public.

Without transparency and accountability taxpayers have no idea how much of their money is being given to private companies or the return on investment of these handouts. Even when companies are required to disclose the number of jobs created as part of their agreement, some haven’t submitted reports in years.

When companies over-promise to receive tax incentives, then under-deliver as job creators taxpayers are left in the dark. The lack of accountability short-changes state and local governments, forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab through higher taxes or cuts to necessary government services.

When the government hands out subsidies and tax breaks, it essentially picks winners and losers in business. That undermines competition and favors politically-connected companies over everyone else. This isn’t the way business should be done.

Read More About Corporate welfare: Corporate welfare is especially problematic in Tennessee. Since 1995, Tennessee has awarded more than 9,200 subsidies to private companies, costing Tennesseans $4.3 billion. Most recently, the state and Nashville offered Amazon $102 million worth of incentives to lure the company to Nashville.